
LYRE AND LANCET A STORY IN SCENES
PART I SHADOWS CAST BEFORE
PART II SELECT PASSAGES FROM A COMING POET
PART III THE TWO ANDROMEDAS
PART IV RUSHING TO CONCLUSIONS
PART V CROSS PURPOSES
PART VI ROUND PEGS IN SQUARE HOLES
PART VII IGNOTUM PRO MIRIFICO
PART VIII SURPRISES—AGREEABLE AND OTHERWISE
PART IX THE MAUVAIS QUART D'HEURE
Set against the rain‑slicked corridors of Wyvern Court, this lively drama opens on a Saturday morning where Sir Rupert Culverin is reluctantly pulled from his accounts by his wife’s chatter about an unexpected guest. The household buzzes with preparations for a dinner that will bring together aristocrats, a bishop, and a fiercely opinionated young woman named Rohesia. Through witty banter and sharp observations, the scene sketches a world where etiquette and ambition collide, hinting at deeper tensions beneath the polished veneer.
A parade of memorable figures—ranging from the ambitious Countess of Cantire to the earnest Dr. James Spurrell—populate the narrative, each carrying their own ideals and hidden motives. As the characters navigate invitations, political whispers, and personal grievances, their interactions reveal the fragile balance between propriety and desire. Listeners will be drawn into a tapestry of humor and social commentary, eager to see how these intersecting lives manage the inevitable clashes of opinion and affection.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (266K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Clarke, JoAnn Greenwood, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
Release date
2012-12-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1856–1934
Best known for the comic fantasy Vice Versa, this Victorian humorist loved turning everyday life upside down with magical twists and sharp social satire. Writing as F. Anstey, he became a familiar voice to readers who enjoyed witty, playful fiction.
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